```{eval-rst}
.. meta::
   :description: Find out how to import Copresence avatars into Metahuman 5.8 for creating realistic digital humans in minutes.
```

# MetaHuman 5.8

:::{admonition} Note
:class: info
We are working on automating most of these manual steps in the future. Stay tuned!
:::

## Prerequisites
Create a scan using the Copresence app and download the MetaHuman export of the scan from the [Copresence web app](https://app.copresence.tech/). Extract the downloaded zip file to a location of your choice.

Now create a new Unreal Engine 5.8 project or open an existing one. Make sure you have the following plugins activated:
- MetaHuman Creator (including the Core assets)
- MetaHuman Core Tech
- MetaHuman SDK
- Groom
- Alembic Groom Importer

## 1. Load Copresence Assets
### 1.1 Import
Go to your UE project and drag and drop the relevant Copresence assets from the extracted zip into your content drawer. The following files are required:
- diffuse.png
- hair.abc
- Beard.abc if present
- template.obj

Whenever a dialog opens on import, use the default settings and confirm.

```{figure} _static/metahuman_58/import.jpg
:name: Asset Import
:align: center
```

### 1.2 Hair Preparation
To use the imported hair assets `hair.abc`(and `Beard.abc` if it is present) later, groom bindings are required. Therefore, do the following:
1. Right-click the template mesh and click `Convert to Skeletal Mesh`. Use the default settings and confirm.
2. Right-click each of the groom assets and click `Create Binding Asset`. Select the Skeletal Mesh object from the previous step as source and target. Create the bindings and save them in the editor window that opens. 
```{figure} _static/metahuman_58/hair_binding.jpg
:name: Creation of the hair binding
:align: center
```

To properly adjust the hair colors and material properties later, double click each of imported groom asset. In the editor window, go to the material tab and create a new material slot. Select `MI_Hair` as material. You may also want to change the thickness, interpolation and physics settings in the other tabs.
After that everything is set up to be used in MetaHuman.

:::{admonition} Missing `MI_Hair` material?
:class: warning
If you cannot select the `MI_Hair` material for the material slot, check the settings of your content browser and make sure both `Plugin Content` and `Engine Content` are enabled.
:::

```{figure} _static/metahuman_58/hair_material.jpg
:name: Setting the hair material
:align: center
```

## 2. MetaHuman from Template Geometry
Right-click in your content browser and select `MetaHuman Character` under the `MetaHuman` sub-menu. Then double-click the newly created asset. The MetaHuman creator will open in a new window.

To transfer the geometry of your Copresence scan, select the `Import` section on the left. Select `From Template`, and then `Mesh Fit`.
Then look for the `Head Mesh` section of the `Assets` menu and choose the imported static mesh `template` as the mesh.
At the end click on `Apply`.
See the screenshot below for a better overview.

```{figure} _static/metahuman_58/geometry.png
:name: Transferring the geometry
:align: center
```

## 3. Assign Textures

To use the scanned textures, select the `Materials` section on the left, and select `Texture & Material Overrides`. 
Under the `Texture Overrides` menu, tick the `Enable Texture Overrides` box and look for the `Face` category of the newly present `Texture Overrides` menu.
Create a map element, select `Base Color` and pick the imported `Diffuse` texture added in the first step. Note, in the future we will export more maps that can be added here as well.
See the screenshot below for a better overview.

```{figure} _static/metahuman_58/texture.png
:name: Transferring the texture
:align: center
```

Optionally, at the top you may select a skin to that matches, the face texture well. Future releases will improved the blending between face and body textures.

## 4. Apply Hair
To add the scanned hair assets, select `Hair & Clothing` on the left and drag the hair binging asset created in step 1 to the grooms panel. Select it an click `Accessory Properties`. A window will open and under `Pipeline` select `Default Groom Pipeline`. Save and close the window. Now, after double-clicking your groom again, the MetaHuman will wear it. If a beard asset has been imported along with the hair, drag its groom binding into the `Beard` section of `Hair & Clothing`, then double click it just like with the hair. Under `Details` you can change material properties, for example hair color, dye color or roughness.

```{figure} _static/metahuman_58/hair.jpg
:name: Transferring the hair assets
:align: center
```

## 5. Customize and Assemble
Before finalizing, you may add customizations. We recommend to choose a suitable eye color, align eyeballs in sculpt mode (if they look off) and add clothing. Then click `Create Full Rig` and `Download Texture Source`. Now, you will be able to assemble the final MetaHuman.

```{figure} _static/metahuman_58/customize.jpg
:name: Adding customizations
:align: center
```

:::{admonition} Note
:class: info
We are working on automating most of these manual steps in the future. Stay tuned!
:::